Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Bundt Pan Centerpiece


I found this old, (as in probably from the 70's old) bundt cake pan several years ago. At least I think it's a bundt cake pan. It seems a little ornate and detailed but I don't think it could be anything else. I sure would have hated to be the one to butter and flour this one. I have enough trouble getting a cake out with silicone and Pam.
Anyway, the color and patina got my attention, and instead of the torture of using it for it's intended job, I opted for a Fall Centerpiece instead. Much easier than scraping cake out of little nooks and crannies.





These first four photos I "grittied" up on Picnik.
I really love that site,
I've been known to play over there for hours.





I'm using faux Fall hydrangeas and real pumpkins and gourds.




I'm sorry, you couldn't MAKE that patina if you tried!






I borrowed an old zinc lid from one of my Mason jars,
inverted it and added a pumpkin scented tea light.














One of my squirrels is hanging out on a make it yourself cupcake stand.









It was so pretty at night,
it gave the sunroom a warm cozy glow.



Fun using odd finds for centerpieces.
Hydrangeas and pumpkins are one of my favorite combinations!

Linking up with these parties:











           


Hope you've been having a great week,
Gosh, I love this time of year!

xoxo,
www.thecharmofhome.blogspot.com
www.nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com
www.thevintagefarmhouse.com

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Design Challenge: Mary's Living Room

 
 Hi Everyone, today we're helping out Mary from Mary's Meanderings. She has a lovely Victorian Living Room that she will be updating soon. Mary has a large space with lots of furniture, which brings with it some decorating questions. Let's help her out with some ideas and inspiration.
Don't get overwhelmed with all that Mary wants to do. Just pick one or two things you'd like to comment on. 
 
 
 

Here's Mary, "in her own words"...

We are blessed to live in an old (approx 100 yrs old) home. It has lots of character and many quirks too. When Debra at Common Ground started her Design Challenge series I just knew that I wanted to be a part of it as I love reading all the great ideas you ladies come up for decorating challenges.

My design challenge right now is our living room. It is a large room with pretty wood trim and we spend winter in this room as it has a wood burning stove which is our primary source of heat. Therein lies one of the problems. That fireplace and mantel is off centered in this room which makes seating arrangements troublesome for me.

The other issue is that I would like to put our beautiful armoire/ entertainment center in this room so we can watch movies now and then (we don’t have cable, or dish so just watch a movie or 2 once in a while.)

Before I go much further let me show you the room so you can get an idea of the needs.

Picture l- this picture is taken from the front door-This would be the south wall in the room-



Going in clockwise manner, Picture 2 is the wall to the right which has the fireplace/wood stove and then a picture window .This is the west wall. My piano is in front of the window and the lace is covering the back-



Another view of west wall (there is a chair behind the bunny arrangement)



Picture 3 is the next wall which has 2 more massive windows (the window coverings were in the house when we bought it. When we took the ceiling wallpaper down to rewire the house we found that they had remodeled this room Dec.1, 1950 (it is written on the ceiling along with the decorator’s names ) Supposedly the owner spent $5000.00 to have these window treatments made which was a lot of money then- geez it’s a lot of money now to me!) To the right of the windows is the front door. It is the north wall so the light that comes through is not bright as such.



East Wall- for those of you wondering , the wallpaper is murals of the 4 seasons in Victoria era. It will be coming down and walls painted.




Picture 4 is the wall opposite the fireplace (the East Wall)- The door leads to the pretty front guest bedroom I redid this spring.





To the right of the doorway is where I was thinking of putting the armoire/entertainment unit which is pictured here-



It could also go on the wall shown in Picture 1- where the book case is.
So these are the things I would love to get some ideas on for this room-

1. TV corner area arrangement
2. seating in front of fireplace-
3. be nice to have more of an entry way feel at front door.
4. The desk behind the settee was so useful last winter for blogging and would like to maybe use it again somewhere in the room if possible.
5. I will be painting this room in the Spring and would love some help on color choices. The trim will be kept stained though I would love to paint it (have to make DH happy too). The window treatments will also be staying. The rooms windows are to the north so with the dark fabric I would like to give it a lighter look which might not be possible.
6.This room adjoins the dining room which also will be getting painted – should I paint both rooms the same color?
7.Oh- the wood floors are a lighter color then the stained woodwork- should I do something different to the floors or woodwork or would an area rug or 2 work to pull it together and if so suggestions.
8.The Victorian style sofa will also be undergoing a new look- slipcover? Upholstery? What kind of fabric?

I have 2 wing back chairs that I can borrow from another room and I am sure some of these items will not fit in a new arrangement though I would like to keep the piano, round ottoman and have a desk area too.


Oh geez can you see just what a bucketful of decisions I need help making!!!??

Well dear ladies I could just go on and on with all the questions I have for all you amazing bloggers but will stop for now and wait for all your heavenly suggestions!!! Thank you so very much for taking the time to give me your suggestions and ideas!

Thank you Debra for giving me the opportunity to to be of this great Decorating Challenge!!

Bee Blessed!
Mary
http://www.megardengal.blogspot.com/


You're very welcome, Mary. Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us for Design Challenge!


Now it's blogland's turn. You don't have to be a decorator to leave a comment. Please just go with your intuition. That is what a designer would do. They listen to the client, then they present their own ideas.  So let's share our thoughts and ideas for an update with Mary. Keep in mind her ideas, but don't be afraid to share your own.


Thanks everyone in advance!
xoxo,

                                                                                           

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Updating a Fall Pumpkin Topiary

The winner of the ugliest pumpkin contest...

Oh, did you miss that contest?
Well, if there would have been one
I would have been the winner, hands down!

(after makeover)

yep, I had some pretty uuuuuugggglllly fugly pumpkins.


A few years ago I made a pumpkin topiary for my entry.
I still liked it,
but the elusive "lumina" pumpkins have been my muse.

(before makeover)

so I grabbed my trusty paint brush and transformed those babies into, 
if not things of beauty...
well at least better!


Welcome to my laboratory!








A coat of this gray mixture slathered on all my projects as an undercoat...




The babies awaiting final touches...






multiple coats to look more dimensional...



I know I'm only about the 500th person to show their painted pumpkins,
but I really did enjoy giving them an updated look.





Say Hello to this fella below,
He was the culprit.
sorry,
no before photo...
too hideous...
Alligator skin syndrome...




at least now he's presentable...
blending in...
 hanging out with the others in the wagon on the porch.


And now everyone's back together again in the Entry Hall!

ta da!!



And for another of my Fall projects...

Fun vintage key pendant with some Fall flavor





I'm updating this post to join in for




Thanks so much for coming to visit.


What's New For Fall at the Petite Boutique


Just thought I'd share with you 
what I've been up to this last week.
Along with a few other Fall projects,
I've put together a few new key pendants for the Etsy Shop.



I have a little obsession with vintage keys,
and of late they've been adorned with vintage ladies' watchfaces.


Throw in a few rhinestones for some bling...


and add a few charms...


numbered zinc tags...


or a pumpkin and owl for good measure.


and little filigree crosses...


These come attached to a 28 inch silver plate ball chain,
that fits easily over your head,
and hangs just right, to layer with other pieces.
(I wear one of these everyday)

Drop by my other blog
the Petite Boutique to keep up with what's new.
You never know what I'll come up with next!

xoxo,

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Mini Design Challenge

 Jeanne over at Perfect Imperfections contacted me last week about doing a Mini Design Challenge concerning these great pieces of furniture that she has. Below is the blogpost she did earlier this week. Take a look and see what you think. Say Hi to Jeanne and leave a comment about what you might do.


Here's Jeanne "In her own words..."

I'm not really sure if these two pieces are what's considered Art Deco. But, I believe that's what they are called. I was really excited when I picked these up for a great price. But then I've been stumped as to what to do with them. So I thought I'd put it out there for all my blogland friends to help me with some ideas. I'm not sure how many will actually read this, but it's worth a try. Without further ado.......here they are:



Lots of great details that will pop with the right treatment!



Just a little close up of some of the details.


This vanity has wood wheels. How cool is that!


Should I try to save the design painted on the drawers?

I was thinking these might be my first Annie Sloan Chalk Paint projects, since I really don't want to sand and prime these babies! What do you think? Also, should I cut the back board off the vanity and leave it as is, or should I put a mirror there? What do you think of the drawers with the design already painted on it? Should I try to preserve that somehow? The details on the trim and legs really need to be highlighted. I'm not sure if just distressing will do the trick, or if I should try some other technique like gold leaf? I'm sure there are other questions I should ask, but that's all I've got for now.

So put on your creative thinking caps and give me some feedback friends! Thanks for your help.

Ready......Set.......GO!



Thanks everyone, let's see if we can give Jeanne some inspiration with these two great pieces of furniture. What would you do?

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